On Tuesday, heavy rainfall lashed Tamil Nadu’s Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu districts, leading to waterlogging and traffic snarls. Among several visuals of the rain floating on social media, videos of scary yet stunning lighting strikes captured from different locations caught the Internet’s attention.
A video, shared by an X user, captures the bright purple hue when the lightning bolt seemingly struck a building. The video was reportedly shot near Sholinganallur.
Watch here:
#sholinganallur #ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/9OpkthuSPq
— Common man (@common_man_IN_) October 14, 2024
With over 275,04,000 views, the video garnered reactions from many social media users. “Wow that was some lightning strike. Brilliant capture in slow motion,” a user wrote. “Haven’t seen one like this in a very long time.. beautifully captured,” another user commented.
“Looks like Chennai’s underground batteries are being recharged,” a third user reacted.
Another video capturing the lighting strike from a different location and angle also sent chills among social media users. The video shows a busy road and several vehicles—cars and motorcycles—passing by when the lighting bolt occurs.
Another Ground Strike 😱 #ChennaiRains @ChennaiRains pic.twitter.com/tqdHi0JZye
— Saravanan95 (@Saravanan_957) October 14, 2024
An X user shared a video that shows lighting strikes illuminating the night sky, leaving an incredible purple hue. “Some good slow mo shots from my balcony! #Chennairains are here! Stay safe everyone,” the user wrote.
Some good slow mo shots from my balcony! #Chennairains are here!
Stay safe everyone. pic.twitter.com/Kbo51fmMay
— Coach Sagar (@sagar_coach) October 14, 2024
In the wake of the heavy downpour, Chief Minister M K Stalin declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai and surrounding districts for Tuesday and instructed employees in the IT sector to work from home between October 15 and 18.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) issued a red alert for several districts. Chennai, along with the other north Tamil Nadu districts — Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur — are likely to receive up to 20 cm of rain in the next few days, reports said.